One thing I will always hand to Rex is his players will run through walls for him. Couple him with a savvy GM who knows how to draft and sign key budget free agents and he can take a team very far.
I hope Gase is a wonder boy and can turn this ship around. But I want to knowing he truly had the final say on all players on this team. There are so many chefs in the Dolphins kitchen and no clear chain of command. It's infruiating. Is Gase the end all be all on how this team will be constructed? And that Suh contract.....oh my aching ###. We are hamstrung. We are going to lose arguably our best playmaker and most explosive player in Lamar Miller. And while I like Ajayi, he has to show he can stay healthy. Lamar has preen quite durable.
I really hope we can retain Lamar. Kid can be a star with better schemes and coaching. I can't say that about Tannehill though. I have seen enough. He is an average talent.
You Dolphin fans are an angry lot. Tannehill will be on his fourth Offensive Coordinator in 2016. It will be his 5th season. He's endured some of the worst offensive line play in the league. The organization has been a complete mess with bullygate etc. His HC turned out to be a real tool, and didn't support his QB.
I find this to be a truly amazing story:
Rotoworld:
Quote
According to the Miami Herald, former Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin wanted the team to draft Derek Carr in the first round to replace Ryan Tannehill in 2014.
Philbin was overruled by former GM Dennis Hickey, who took OT Ja'Waun James instead. According to beat reporter Armando Salguero, Tannehill was "starved for help and support" but never got any from Philbin. Whenever "things got sideways" during his tenure in Miami, Philbin would privately blame Tannehill for the team's shortcomings. Philbin even resented Tannehill's friendship with Dan Marino, who was brought in as a special advisor in 2014. Philbin's aloofness toward Tannehill certainly contributed to Miami's dysfunction last year. Tannehill is in a much better environment now with Adam Gase as the head coach.
Related: Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
Source: Miami Herald
Jan 10 - 11:37 AM
There is no more difficult position to play in all of sports than a NFL QB. Its hard when you have all the pieces in place set up for you to succeed. Tannehill hasn't had a shred of that to date. There is legitimate reason to think that Gase is the real deal, and is a great hire for Tannehill. The Dolphins also for the first time in Tannehill's tenure may have some quality options at the WR position that can actually help Tannehill. (Parker >>>>Wallace in this regard.) Landry is a nice chain mover, but Parker should be able to provide a downfield threat to open up the offense. Look at how Randall Cobb did without Jordy Nelson this year. Parker should also provide a nice wingspan and high point ability that many other NFL QBs enjoy. Wallace had little ability to adjust to a under thrown deep ball.
IMO Gase was the hottest coaching candidate this year. He chose the Dolphins because he sees that they are not that far away from a turnaround. Tannehill/Landry/Parker can be the foundation for a good offense. They just need a stable environment in which to work, and a quality offensive line. (which IMO, the Dolphins should and will prioritize this offseason).
Appreciate the optimism from one who I assume is not a Fins homer. Its good to know that there are some out there who actually believe in this offense's potential. I have personally divested myself of all players in this offense except Lamar, who I am anticipating will be playing in another offense next season.
Tough to blame Philbin for wanting to draft Carr. Seems like he saw what many of us refused to see - early on. I can't imagine it was personal. Philbin's career was dependent upon the success of this team. If he thought 17 was the guy, why would he want to spend a valuable pick to replace him? Say what you will about Philbin, but it sounds like he saw the Tannehill train wreck coming long before the rest of the football world.
Your post brings up some valid points, but as a fan of the team who watches every play, I will elaborate on a few:
1. The OL does stink, but a great deal of the sacks were on Tannehill. No pocket presence, weak instincts, and an inability to get rid of the ball. We were spoiled with Marino, who was excellent at all of those things. Tannehill is severely deficient in those areas.
2. 4 OC in 5 seasons - that is a grotesque stat. Possible that 17 is a big part of the reason? I dont think anyone super special lost their jobs, but I also think 17 was a big reason why none of the offenses worked. Nobody wants to give him the power to audible. Why is that? It has been consistent with each coordinator. Tough to win in the NFL with a QB who is incapable of reading defenses to the point where no OC will allow him to audible. Also, tough to keep your job when it is tied to the success of the same QB that you cannot trust.
3. They will prioritize the OL this year. Well, we have been saying this for 5 years now and it still stinks. Signed Branden Albert, a few free agents, and drafted a bunch of day 1 and 2 guys. Maybe James will pan out at RT. None of the guards we drafted/signed are worthy of starting. We have still got zero (literally, zero) depth at OT. We have a great center. Thats all we have to show for 5 years of prioritizing the OL. Plus, now we have so many other needs (2-3 LBs, 2 CBs, Safety, DE) that its tough to continue to prioritize the OL. Add in the fact that we are in salary cap hell, and it makes it even tougher.
In short, I believe that your optimism can be sold to those who dont follow this team closely. As such, use it to move players on this offense if you own them. Its not going to get better here for a long time. Just the harsh reality of the situation. Its likely going to get worse, this year IMO, then next year we will probably see a rookie QB take over.
